Database Users

Is my vibration motor dead / disconnected?

Hi everyone,
My Hermes does not vibrate anymore, there are two possible reasons as I see it:
1. I dropped my phone on monday, the battery cover came off and the battery fell out, the phone seemed to be fine after I put them back (most likely)
2. I upgraded from radio 1.18 to 1.27 (unlikely)
Those are the only two recent events which have happened to my phone, and as I doubt the radio has anything to do with the vibrator motor I assumed that when I dropped it, the motor broke off its contacts or something.
Things I have tried:
1. Upgrade to AKU 3.3 (previously running SA 1.35)
2. Downgrade radio to 1.18 again (no luck, back on 1.27 now)
3. Hard reset
4. Soft reset
5. BL 1.01, 1.04
6. Various combinations of all of the above
I have come to the conclusion it must be a hardware issue. I've looked at pictures of the inside of the Hermes but nothing is obviously the motor - could anyone point it out to me on an image? I'd like to have a look at it and if it has broken off its contacts, solder it back on, or buy a new one and install it if it is broken.
Also, are there any programs that can test the vibration definitively? It doesn't vibrate when I am rung or texted, even though the setting is to vibrate, and it doesn't vibrate when I toggle vibrate mode from the Comm manager.
Many thanks

unfortunately your not the first to suffer this problem:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=293004
i know that's not really of much help, in terms of fixing the issue. but i think it proves that it is some kind of hardware fault that many of us are experiencing. i've had this problem for a while now, and yeh, its very annoying, but I dont trust t-mobile enough to give it back to them to get it fixed because other than that everything else works fine, and in my experience if i get it repaired its bound to come back with even more problems

Thanks for your reply, I had read that thread but unfortunately for me I bought this phone off eBay (for £245 after O2 wanted £260 to replace my Wizard...) so I have no warrantee.
I am an electronic engineer so I'm not afraid to get inside either, if it is an obvious and easy-to-fix fault (wire needs resoldering or something) I will let everyone know.
Don't suppose anyone can point to a picture showing the motor could they?

Oliy said:
Thanks for your reply, I had read that thread but unfortunately for me I bought this phone off eBay (for £245 after O2 wanted £260 to replace my Wizard...) so I have no warrantee.
I am an electronic engineer so I'm not afraid to get inside either, if it is an obvious and easy-to-fix fault (wire needs resoldering or something) I will let everyone know.
Don't suppose anyone can point to a picture showing the motor could they?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The motor is on the back cover and contacts the mother board via spring contacts. It is possible that a sharp knock could flatten these contacts and stop connection to the board. This would be an easy fix - bend contacts back to original position and all you need is to take back cover off!!
Mike

I have fixed it - I opened up the case (just took off the back cover - this voids your warrantee) and it is located at the bottom. It has two spring loaded pins which contact the main board, and one appeared to be bent slightly out of shape. After bending it back I reassembled and everything works again!
Thanks for your reply Mike, I had actually just got back from my mate-with-the-T6-screwdriver's house where I fixed it when I read your post!
Thanks all

A hard knock can bend the Vibrate Motor's copper spring contacts enough to make them lose contact with the board. In other cases contact may be poor due to some oxidisation on the contacts.
For those who are not worried about their warranty, giving those contacts a tweak back into shape would not be a daunting task. 4 screws on the back cover, remove sim card AND Micro Card and with a bit of patience ease off back cover. That's all the dismantling needed .
Do remember to line up the little macro toggle arm on the camera with its catch on the cover when putting back together. First time I did this I forgot, got everything all screwed back and then discovered the camera macro arm was not lined up with the switch on the casing. So i would check the macro switch is working before finally putting screws back in.
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Some people are able to get the motor to re-establish contact with the m/board by giving the device a few sharp taps on the bottom edge. This can work provided the spring contacts are not excessively bent. Worth a try especially for those with a warranty for whom opening up would be warranty voiding.
Cheers
Mike

Ahh...so that's why my Dopod838Pro is not vibrating at times...I knew it had something to do with the amount of times I dropped the phone...(lol) well, I will try this solution and get back to you guys.
Thanks for the info Mike.

U key is erratic

Not sure why but my u key requires a hard press that other keys don't.
I tried compressed air but it didn't help.
Its the only button I have trouble with.
Pressing it lots of times doesn't help either.
Suggestions?

i have the same problem with my "E" Key
if anyone has a fix for it thatd be wonderful
because im so accustomed to pressing a key, and hearing the click, so i go on to hit the next one
just to realize my E didnt hit

I have the same problem with "O" key lol
Still havent found a solution.

I am having the same problem with "u" key. Tried running the cingular keyboard fix. Didn't work

Never occurred to me that it might be software related. I just assumed it was hardware.

lol the cingular keyboard fix doesnt fix that
its for if you install say, the official Dopod WM6 Rom to your Cingular 8525, the key layout isnt the same, so the fix puts the right layout number into the registry
no software can correct a hardware problem

trjons said:
Never occurred to me that it might be software related. I just assumed it was hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not software related
it seems to happen on the keys that you press the most
U E O -- all vowels used quite often

well i guess ill take one for the team
ill be the b*tch to disassemble it haha
ill get back to ya in a few

crap.
oh well...if my phone is toast I may as well upgrade to the kaiser...

so yeah f*ck that lol
i tried to get the back face plate off...
and now the slider thingy to the battery cover is stuck in place?
anyone have that problem? and how can i get that completely closed? coz it looks like the back just didnt close all the way?

UPDATE
i took it completely apart - took the keyboard out - the circuit board and the membrane - blew on it
put my phone back together
and viola! the E works FINE! =)
theres a fix...but no more warranty lol

i'm gonna waint another year so my warranty voids and then take it apart lol
Thanks for the info

Correction
it was working perfectly for a few hours
and right back to the harder presses...grr
ive already taken it apart 5 times since yesterday lmao
because first the PTT button didnt line up right
then the Camera MACRO adjustment wasnt aligned
then the back cover release didnt line up
then the bottom clip wouldnt snap into place...but that was because of the back cover release
so yeah now ive got it working as if i had never touched it....lmao
buuttt...im thinking of taking it all apart and spraypainting it Flat Black?
i think thatd look pretty dayumm sweeet

interesting...
the entire keypad is a single strand.
I thought about popping up a single key but they are connected.

yepp - one large membranee

This practical solution applies only to those situations where one or a few keys are unresponsive.
It DOES NOT apply to a general unresponsiveness of the keyboard where all keys are slow to respond or "laggy" (this would more likely be a software related problem/low memory/too many running progs etc).
Right...... for a long time I have meant to investigate the keyboard and its problem keys.
It has all become clear.
The keyboard does NOT use a conductive rubber membrane - Which would in my view have been better, though would not have the key press clicks.
The Keyboard does use small isolated concave metal disks, stuck on a white plastic film that in turn sticks to the board.
The major problem with metal is the oxidation layer that forms on the surface. Repeated pressing of the keys may keep the oxides away but not reliably.
So if you are brave you can peel back the sticky white film with the disks on it - at least until you get to the problem key and clean the disk. A wipe will not be enough, you will need to use something more abrasive and be careful not to get greasy fingers on the sticky film. A fiddly and rather tricky job - but possible.
I advise you NOT to peel the white plastic layer completely off. If you do you may find it difficult to line it up accurately after cleaning!!
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I suggest cleanning the contacts (including the disks with a small piece of steel wool.
I will not supply a dismantling guide here. There are plenty around. See my signature website for links to some and the Service Manual.
Mike

Screw it.
i'll just buy a Kaiser.

What happens when my space bar V,G,T key don't work. I have replaced both the keyboard and the membrain. The same keys are still not working. I was wondering if it could be the ribbon cable, so I replaced that to. Same story, no keys working. Now where should I start looking? It has not gotten wet nor have I dropped it.
Thanks

Does opening up the phone void the warranty?
How would HTC know?

Yes, there is a "Void if removed" sticker covering a screw you need to remove. Check out the HTC service manual (use the search function) or go to Mike Channon's web page. You'll find HOW to take your Hermes apart and put back together again, and as a bonus, it may still work....
Cheers...

New Housing won't go to landscape when opening keyboard

Gooday
Have looked and searched but cant find answer
I have just replaced the housing on my jasjam and now when I open the keyboard the screen dosen't change to landscape mode (Ie rotate 90 deg)
Can someone please tell me where the switch contacts or whaterve is on the slider or how it works
I am getting very good a dis and re -assembly of the jasjam
Also any suggestions of a type of "glue" that can be used on the bits that are stuck to the back of the screen
THANKS
Barney318

barney318 said:
Gooday
Have looked and searched but cant find answer
I have just replaced the housing on my jasjam and now when I open the keyboard the screen dosen't change to landscape mode (Ie rotate 90 deg)
Can someone please tell me where the switch contacts or whaterve is on the slider or how it works
I am getting very good a dis and re -assembly of the jasjam
Also any suggestions of a type of "glue" that can be used on the bits that are stuck to the back of the screen
THANKS
Barney318
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Barney you are a bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad boy, bend over this is going to hurt! But trust me I know what I'm doing, I have a Manual for it:
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This has been asked few times by the folk who change casings but forget to move the magnet from the old casing to the new one. The switch is magnet operated and in fairness it's a tiny thing that is not obviously a magnet. See here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1535294&postcount=4
Mike
PS not sure you really need to glue anything on the back of the screen do you? Perhaps a little tape might be better if really necessary.

THANKS
Didn't hurt at all
Just another dis & re-assemble all is fine now
Thanks again
Barney318

barney318 said:
THANKS
Didn't hurt at all
Just another dis & re-assemble all is fine now
Thanks again
Barney318
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good stuff
Mike

I know this is kind of an older thread, but when I searched for my problem, this is the most recent thread that came up.
I'm having a similar problem to the OP--I recently took my phone apart per the wiki because one of my tracks completely came off the rail. When I put it back together, I had an extra small square shaped rubber piece that fell off the motherboard and my keyboard is unrepsonsive when I slide it out in addition to it not going to landscape mode. The only thing is that I didn't take apart the part of the case with the magnet--I was able to get the slider thing back on the track without completely removing the very back housing. Is there anything else that might be causing the problem?
Sorry if this aspect has been gone over before; when I searched, this was the only thread I saw with a similar problem.

crazylikeafox11 said:
I know this is kind of an older thread, but when I searched for my problem, this is the most recent thread that came up.
I'm having a similar problem to the OP--I recently took my phone apart per the wiki because one of my tracks completely came off the rail. When I put it back together, I had an extra small square shaped rubber piece that fell off the motherboard and my keyboard is unrepsonsive when I slide it out in addition to it not going to landscape mode. The only thing is that I didn't take apart the part of the case with the magnet--I was able to get the slider thing back on the track without completely removing the very back housing. Is there anything else that might be causing the problem?
Sorry if this aspect has been gone over before; when I searched, this was the only thread I saw with a similar problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh dearie me!!!
First, the little rubber piece is the microphone cover from the bottom end of the motherboard.
Second, the screen orientation does not work because the magnet operated switch is attached to the keyboard cable which is obviously not working because as you say the keyboard is not responsive.
The likely cause of both the keyboard problem and the orientation problem is this connector:
It's under the back cover and is OFTEN forgotten because when you replace the motherboard the push in connector gets curled up beneath the board rather than curling around to be plugged in. (OR you just need to push it firmly into place)​
A wider angle picture:​
Cheers​
Oh, and WELCOME to XDA-Devs​
Mike​

I remember that little metal piece but did not remember to put it back when I was putting my phone back together. I'll have to give that a try later as I've come down with the flu. Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the advice Mike. It worked like a charm. Turns out one of my sliders coming off the tracks was the best thing that happened to my phone. In taking it apart, I also found that the speaker connection had completely come off which was the cause of my phone not having sound. So now aside from some cosmetic damage, my phone is back to working like new.

HD2 Opening Instructions for dummies (only till Main PCB)

Disclaimer: Opening your HD2 will result in your warranty becoming VOID. Any damage to your HD2 as a result of following this walk-through is not my fault and was because you have large clumsy hands. If you want your phone repaired professionally without your warranty voided, send it to your supplier.
Tools you will need:
- HD2
- T5 screwdriver
- Tool kit for Phone/iPod/PSP (available on ebay, pictured below)
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1) To start off with, turn off the phone then remove the battery cover along with the battery, SIM card and SD card.
2) WARNING! This next step will VOID your warranty. Remove the 4 screws using the T5 screwdriver.
3) Now comes the fun bit, stick the suction cup near the top of the screen and insert the blue tool (for lack of a real name) between the screen and casing.
4) Once the blue tool is in you should be able to pop the screen out one side at a time as there are two sets of "hooks" that hold it in place. You can pull on the suction cup to make this process easier.
5) Now that the top bit is out you need to run the blue tool down the sides of the screen to loosen it up. Then pull on the suction cup and it should separate quite easily.
6) To remove the main PCB you need to remove 3 screws using the T5 screwdriver. There are 6 connectors on the Main PCB, 3 on the top (yellow) and three on the bottom (red). You will also need to remove the copper shielding, you can do so by carefully pulling it off taking care not to deform it as you will need it back it the same place when you reassemble it.
Reassembling it is just a reverse process of the disassembly with the exception of the volume buttons, I've found them quite annoying to hold in place as you push the screen back and had to try multiple times to get it right.
That's all I got up to so far, if I get a weekend off I'll try to go further and do a complete guide, along with replacing the screen. If anyone has any suggestions/improvements please let me know as this was a little rushed.
Notes: You can use a plastic screwdriver if you don't want to buy the blue thingy but it may damage your phone. On my first opening attempt I used a screwdriver and there is slight damage to the top where I inserted it. Second attempt with the blue thingy and there is no additional damage and the screen was much easier to remove.

Reserved #1

This is very informative. Thank you.

Very well done. Thank you for your time. I do hope I will not have to come back to this guide anytime soon .

Many thanks, but can you do a youtube video of this? I tried to do this using exactly the same tools, but i didn't manage to remove the glass unit from the backcover although i used the blue plastic tool in the same way.

When do you have time to look at the screen? I've got all the tools ready, and the replacement screen. Hope to see some guide somewhere soon

Sorry, been real busy as of late. May do it in a month or two. But there are some videos that might help you here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=640877

Thanks. My HD2 has a crack running from the battery holding place and all the way where the screen starts. I was gutted but looks easier than thought now , Thanks to these instructions by you if I buy a new back casing cover.

Thank you, Maybe now I can start thinking more seriously about replacing my LED to support more colours
Very nice quality BTW

If I may say well done I have had to take down my hd2 twice for screen replacements and I can't really say I'm proud of it.

My HD2 only has two screws. Is the uk casing different to the US one ?.

fallenmonk said:
My HD2 only has two screws. Is the uk casing different to the US one ?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Someone must have tried to open it

Please help
I have tried to open my HD2, with a screw driver instead of a plastic tool.. it almost popped open, but i could also hear a sound like glue coming loose ..and after i just thought to put the HD2 back together and turn it back on, my touch screen stopped working.. What can i do?
Sorry for posting in a thread that is almost two years old
Kind regards,
GUS4

GUS4 said:
Please help
I have tried to open my HD2, with a screw driver instead of a plastic tool.. it almost popped open, but i could also hear a sound like glue coming loose ..and after i just thought to put the HD2 back together and turn it back on, my touch screen stopped working.. What can i do?
Sorry for posting in a thread that is almost two years old
Kind regards,
GUS4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should seriously think to get your touchscreen replaced, most likely you cracked it in your attempt to open your phone.

Hi
I Have tried that but only it opens the middle part of the lcd and i cant reach the back.
what can i do?

[How-to] Repair the flacky N9 back cover

Hi guys,
Here's a little how-to for anyone tired of the flacky N9 back cover...
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You will need:
- A N9 haha
- Double-sided tape
- Tool made for opening smartphone or sharp nails
- Logic
- First remove the back cover. You can use your nail or a little tool made for smartphone disassembling. This is a no-danger step as the back cover is only kept together with the tablet body by plastic clips.
WARNING -> extra attention to the rear camera when removing the back cover as it could stay fixed to the back cover. In fact the camera has adhesive paper on it. If it stay on the back cover -> GO TO IFIXIT.COM, almost complete disassembling needed !!!!
No problems if you are delicate with you N9, at least no problem for me, camera ok after operation
- After properly separated the back cover from the tablet body fix several stripes of double-sided tape on the battery (on the battery and only on it).
- Properly replace the back cover (pay attention to the rear camera right in her place) and then clip it to the tablet body.
- Now press gently on the back cover with tablet staying on the screen
Okay, DONE, no more flaky back cover:
Cheers,
N0rt0n

Or do what i did and get a cover for your nexus, 0.99 from amazon and it even starts the tablet when you open the cover by the power of magic ?.

anobium said:
Or do what i did and get a cover for your nexus, 0.99 from amazon and it even starts the tablet when you open the cover by the power of magic ?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or you just want to keep your beautiful N9 naked as I and this is the right way to get rid of the problem of the back cover

Nice!
Just need someone (or you) to find a solution to the flush buttons now.

No problem concerning the buttons to me. What is your problem ?

i'm thinking stickon aluminium would do the trick - just like what they have for iphone home buttons pre iphone 5s

Have you noticed the little clips all around the back cover wearing or flaking off the tips after removing the back? I'm working on a cooling mod for the tegra k1 chip and I've taken the back cover off 3 times already... And I've noticed a few of the clips on the back cover are already flaking off some plastic...

Philaphlous said:
Have you noticed the little clips all around the back cover wearing or flaking off the tips after removing the back? I'm working on a cooling mod for the tegra k1 chip and I've taken the back cover off 3 times already... And I've noticed a few of the clips on the back cover are already flaking off some plastic...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry guy I have only took the back cover out one time and no problem for me concerning the grips \ plastic :-\

I apologize in advance but what the heck does flacky mean?
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

I mean soft back cover, he doesn't fit properly the tablet body and make a "bump" over it.
You've probably not read the OP nor look at the gif...
Sorry for the imprecision

NoNo1234 said:
I mean soft back cover, he doesn't fit properly the tablet body and make a "bump" over it.
You've probably not read the OP nor look at the gif...
Sorry for the imprecision
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did read the OP. I don't have the issue on my N9, but I just didn't know what Flacky meant. Thanks for the instructions, though. Well detailed.

Serial ID
Quick question to those of you who managed to pull the back cover. Do you know if the serial ID is located on the battery on anywhere on the tablet? I ask because my N9 has died and do not have the box nor the serial id stickers that came with the tablet. In the past I've opened up other tablets (N10 for example) and there you can find the serial id on a sticker placed on the battery. I need the serial id so that I can send it back to HTC for repair. Thanks.

chicodelta said:
Quick question to those of you who managed to pull the back cover. Do you know if the serial ID is located on the battery on anywhere on the tablet? I ask because my N9 has died and do not have the box nor the serial id stickers that came with the tablet. In the past I've opened up other tablets (N10 for example) and there you can find the serial id on a sticker placed on the battery. I need the serial id so that I can send it back to HTC for repair. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't even have to open your device. The serial number is listed in the About section of the system settings. Just go to Settings > About > Status > Serial Number

FD_ said:
You don't even have to open your device. The serial number is listed in the About section of the system settings. Just go to Settings > About > Status > Serial Number
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I'm aware that the serial number can be found under system settings. The issue that I"m dealing with is that the tablet won't power on, so I can't access system settings, and I don't have the original box with the serial number. I think I might be SOL as far as sending this tablet to HTC for repair.

chicodelta said:
Oh I'm aware that the serial number can be found under system settings. The issue that I"m dealing with is that the tablet won't power on, so I can't access system settings, and I don't have the original box with the serial number. I think I might be SOL as far as sending this tablet to HTC for repair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, sorry, did not know that. According to the iFixit teardown, there is a serial number on the battery, though it does not seem to be the same that usually is on the device: https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/GNWCNGJ4JWpkG4AZ.huge